THE long-term future of Wrexham FC’s historic Racecourse ground could be decided in the next two days.

Wrexham council’s Executive Board will meet tomorrow to agree whether the Mold Road stadium should be specifically identified in the Local Development Plan (LDP) as an area to be used only for leisure.

Local councillors will also get a chance to have their say at a planning committee meeting today.

The ground’s inclusion in the LDP would thwart any possible chance of redevelopment for retail or accommodation purposes, which is the reason members of the independent Wrexham FC website Red Passion garnered almost 9,000 signatures via an online petition designed to protect the venue. They are aiming for 10,500 names in total.

In a new twist, the group want Wrexham FC bosses to erect a statue of former manager John Neal, whose arrival in 1969/70 changed the club’s fortunes. A campaign spokesman said: “We would welcome the support of the wider local public to help us reach our campaign target of 10,500, one signature for every seat in the stadium.

“We intend to submit an updated petition in June. The principle aim of this campaign is to see the Racecourse ground protected for sport, to help ward off any unscrupulous land owner who may come along in the future. The legal advice obtained suggests this policy if cemented by WAG, provides that all important protection and reassurance.”

He added: “The forthcoming council meetings are an important process for the protection of the town’s greatest asset. The Racecourse is Wrexham's most famous landmark throughout the world and it's greatest value is for football, serving the community, who have invested their money and lifetime of support, through so many generations.

“We believe a fitting conclusion to this campaign would be to see the council erect a statue of the great John Neal, outside the stadium, in recognition of his visionary management of Wrexham Football Club.”

The Racecourse has been home to the Dragons - formerly Robins - since 1872 and is the oldest international football ground in the world

Wrexham’s planning policy manager Clive Nicholas confirmed the Racecourse would be placed under scrutiny at both meetings but stressed there was a long way to go before a concrete decision is made.

He added: “The Executive Board meeting will consider whether the contents of the Deposit LDP fully reflects previously agree council and public needs, aspirations and priorities. If the answer is yes then the plan will be subject to public consultation in the summer. These and public comments will then be sent to an independent Inspector to consider hopefully in early 2012 .”